Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I've been busy this week giving our daughter, Christy, some help. She has adjusted well with the new baby and seems to have lots of energy. Baby Lucy sleeps five hour stretches at night and nurses about every four hours. She looks so much like Christy as a baby that I feel I'm enjoying Christy all over, again! Her two older brothers, age two and two and a half love her lots, but want to be babied, too. Christy has her hands full!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

After giving birth to three boys in a row, we were blessed with our 4th girl, our 10th child. She arrived quickly after a short labor and I'm a little embarrased to say, born on the bathroom floor of our local hospital. We used to tease her and say we almost named her Flora.

We brought her home to a very busy, noisy household. She fit right in and was a happy little girl with a wonderful disposition, with lots of love to give. In her home schooling journal she kept when she was little she would always begin it with, "Dear Mom, I love you so much."

Growing up in a large family and being the next to the last and the baby girl has given her character! Her sisters have been more nuturing, but the brothers have made her strong! For instance, when she was a baby her grandma bought her a special crib with netting because they had been caught trying to drop heavy objects on her. Her young years were sprinkled with alot of teasing and recently, pictures taken at "awkward moments" and then posted on facebook would make any girl not enjoy being little sister. But, she has taken it in stride, and has also tried to think of ways to get even!

Julie has been a joy to raise and is easy to please and is fun to be with. She loves people and social events. Has an artistic flair, an ability to do hair, make-up and put an outfit together. Katey and I often ask for her advice and by her expression know if we can leave the house or not. She talks of going to beauty school and becoming a beautician and then at other times not sure. She does know she wants adventure, excitement.

Julie, whatever the Lord puts in your heart, I know you will follow, as His plan will make you the happiest. I love you and can hardly believe my baby girl is 17!! Enjoy this last year of being a girl, before you know it you will be an adult woman. So I quote this song," You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back, you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times, just look around, you may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this."

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Last night, our 24 year old daughter, Katey, told us she will be moving out next week. She will be moving in with one of our married sons and his wife and family of three little girls. They are housing a student from out of state and thought it would be nice for Katey to be her roommate and she agreed.

Katey is a joy to have around with her easy going, peaceful ways. We've been blessed having her home this long as most of her siblings left at a much earlier age. Every time it's a new adjustment for me. Each one leaves an empty spot that not another can fill. Julie is not too happy as she now will be the only girl amongst the brothers.

On a lighter note, when 18 year old, Carl, found out he got a big smile on his face and said, "Yes!" He's been eyeing that room for quite awhile now. Being child #9 he has never had his own space and is already talking about buying a mini refrig and a new bed, he's got big plans.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Mmm...this is a good summer salad and has been a great way to use up my abundance of cucumbers from the garden. My son, Nathan, shared this recipe with me, recently. You need 3 cucumbers, 1 avocado, tomatoes (as many as to your liking,) olives, fetta cheese, I didn't measure the olives or fetta cheese either, just what looked good, 2 T. olive oil, about a half cup of rice vinegar, one teaspoon of basil, salt to taste. Mix together and refrigerate for a couple hours. It tastes better when it's chilled and allowed to marinate. The grocery store I shop at (Winco) now has an olive bar so I like to choose different types of olives instead of the typical black ones. Thank-you, Nathan.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Lucy Alyssa was born, today. She is our 16th grandchild, 8th granddaughter. She is a beauty and I was fortunate to be at her birth. Her mommy was a real trooper and labored for many hours. It was hard to see my daughter in pain, but I also saw her strength and courage and I know with each birth comes new growth in each woman who goes through it.

Watching my son-in-law giving her love and support through each contraction was such an awesome sight to see.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

When I smell the aroma of coffee brewing it brings back the memories of the comfort and coziness of my grandmother's kitchen. I started drinking coffee in Grandma's kitchen when I was just a girl. I would spend the night, sleeping between her ironed sheets and when I would wake up she would be sitting at her kitchen table, reading her morning paper drinking from her vintage 50's mug. She would make me a cup of her fresh brew, later I learned it was more milk than coffee, lots of sugar and I would feel so grown up. Coffee became a comfort to me as I enjoyed those times and would think of Grandma and our time together.

In my early marriage years it would be Grandma, my aunt and mom who would be sitting around the table with me early morning having our morning coffee, laughing and sharing some time together. I had moved 90 miles away and so when we got together they would usually spend the night or weekend. I look fondly back on those times.

Another move, 1000 miles this time, and I'm still blessed to have morning coffee at times with my mom. Grandma and my Auntie Cele are both with Jesus, now.

My coffee has gotten fancier. A couple of years ago, Chuck bought me a Starbuck's Barista coffee maker and it has saved me alot of money as I have made many a cup for family and friends and no need to run to Starbucks. I even bought paper cups with the lids so I feel like I've been to the coffee shop. My favorite is a mocha with a little mint.

When it's just me, I like to go out on my front deck to enjoy the view and quiet of the morning, still a time of comfort, also a time to reflect and pray.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

I've been picking lots of zucchini, different types of squash I forgot I planted, cucumbers, tomatoes. The strawberries have dwindled down to just a few once in awhile. Last year I really enjoyed the few cucumbers I planted and so this year decided to plant extra. Well, I have so many I don't really know what to do with them. I have resorted to dehydrating alot of them and will be looking up recipes to get some ideas. I do enjoy them in a vinegar, salt mixture, and when the grandkids were here they enjoyed dipping the sliced ones in ranch dressing.

I found a recipe on the internet for oven roasted tomatoes. I sliced up the tomatoes I recently picked, put them in a bowl with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, 1 to 2 teaspoons of basil, oregano, and an Italian seasoning that had marjoram in it. Mixed them up in the mixture and then put them in my stoneware cookie sheet on 200 degrees for about 12 hours. They turned out so tasty. I'm planning on using them on a pizza.

Today, I picked some more tomatoes and this time added my zucchini and onion and will be roasting them the same way. Also, found a good zucchini bread recipe and had Julie make some loaves. I have lots of grated zucchini waiting for more bread to be made in my freezer, I just need to convince Julie it's fun.

About Me

Married to my high school sweetheart for 38 years and have 11 children, 7 sons, 4 daughters. The oldest is 36 and the youngest is 16. Four of our children still live at home. We have been blessed with 20 grandchildren, 10 grandsons and 10 granddaughters. I have homeschooled for many years, loved doing it. All my children know and love the Lord which has made it all worthwhile.